GAME NOTES: Two teams in search of their first conference win of the season
square off at Gill Coliseum on Thursday evening, as the Oregon State Beavers
play host to the Stanford Cardinal in Pac-12 action.

Johnny Dawkins' Cardinal opened league play last week at home against rival
California and fell to the Golden Bears, 69-62. It marked the second loss in
the last three games for Stanford, which is now 9-4 on the season. The team
has won both of its true road games this year.

Craig Robinson's Beavers enter this contest having lost two straight and three
of their last four games, dropping the team to 8-6 overall. Oregon State
played a pair of Pac-12 road games last week, losing at Colorado (64-58) and
Utah (80-69).

In a series that dates back to 1915, Oregon State holds a 73-66 advantage.
However, Stanford has won four straight and seven of the last 10 meetings.

Stanford didn't get a single point from its bench in last week's loss to the
Golden Bears. The Cardinal shot a modest .414 from the field overall, with
Dwight Powell pacing the squad with 16 points. Chasson Randle was a close
second with 15 points, while Anthony Brown checked in with 14.

The Cardinal are fueled by their starting five and come into this contest
averaging an impressive 76.6 ppg on .486 shooting. Randle leads four players
in double figures with 18.4 ppg. Powell is next in line at 14.4 ppg, followed
by Brown (13.5 ppg) and Josh Huestis (11.3 ppg), who tops the team on the
boards, with 8.2 rpg.

Oregon State is a strong offensive team in its own right. The Beavers are
shooting .499 from the floor overall, leading to a hefty 77.7 ppg. Star guard
Roberto Nelson headlines the group and leads the Pac-12 in scoring at 21.1
ppg. Devon Collier provides balance up front with 16.4 ppg on a strong .633
shooting efficiency, while leading the team in rebounding (7.8 rpg). Center
Angus Brandt (11.5 ppg) gives the team another option down low.

The Beavers were once again accurate with their shooting, connecting on 50
percent from the floor against Utah, but the Utes were simply better,
delivering on 58 percent, including a 12-of-22 effort from behind the arc.
Nelson led the team in defeat with 16 points. Hallice Cooke came off the bench
to tally 14 points, while Langs Morris-Walker added 11.

Both these teams are strong offensive squads, but playing on the road hasn't
fazed the Cardinal, who should be able to grind out a win here.